RB bats for inclusion of Meiteis in ST list
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 16 2018: Former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam today claimed thatthe demands for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST list has come a little too late adding that the demand should have been raised 10 to 20 years back.

He made the statement as a part of the continued initiative of the Coordinating Body of Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (CBSTDCM) to take the feedbacks and opinions about inclusion of Meitei in the ST list from prominent figures/personalities of the State.

Speaking to media persons at his residence at Thangmeiband today, the former CM said that the Sangai or the brow antlered deer is one or the rarest, endangered animals in the world and numerous experts are working up ways and methods to conserve and protect the animal from extinction.

This predicament is similar to where the Meitei community is currently, he added.

RB bats for inclusion of Meiteis in ST list

Quoting Charles Darwin's survival of the fittest, Radhabinod Koijam asked how the Meitei community is going to survive when they have nothing to eat and nowhere to get their essential products/commodities from.

When one say Meitei, it also includes Meitei Pangal as well as other communities, he stated.

Radhabinod claimed that Meitei does not even populate more than 10 percent of the total 22,327 square kilometres of the State's land.

The Meitei community is living in the said 10 percent of the State's total land and even the people of the hills are continually shifting and settling in the said portion of land.

Clarifying that he does not have anything against the people of the hills settling in the said land, Radhabinod informed that it is the rapid influx of non locals from outside the State (including Bangladesh and Myanmar), coming and settling in the State, which requires immediate attention of the people.

Moreover, the Meitei community has to face the impact of the Act East policy, Trans-Asian Highway, the railways and globalization, the former CM added.

Radhabinod said that the demand for the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST list has come a little too late and the demands should have been raised almost 10-20 years ago.

If the Meitei community had been in the ST list, the gap or disparity between the hills and the valley would not have been present, the Meitei community would have been able to protect/safeguard their land, there would have been almost no political division and there would have been a concrete bond between the various communities residing in the State, he claimed.

The former CM conveyed that the claims about Meitei being Mongoloid stock, being tribal, are all true but being swept away by the impact of Hindu religion, the Meitei community became estranged from its tribal brothers and was also not able to get included in the ST list.

It would not be right for the Meitei to blame the British or the Indian Government of that time, but the fault lies with the ancestors of the Meitei, Radhabinod said and added that he was not bashing the forefathers as there could have been some other factors due to which the community failed to be included in the ST list.

He claimed that there are proofs to show that Meitei are indeed ST and is imperative for the Meitei community to be included in the ST list as soon as possible.

To preserve the culture, tradition of the Meitei community as well as to ensure its survival, inclusion in the ST list is a must, he added.

On the other hand, Radhabinod conveyed that the apprehension of the tribal that they would lose their rights, livelihood etc, if Meitei is included in the ST list, is false as under Article 64 of the Constitution, the State Government can make necessary adjustments so that every party is satisfied and not impacted by the process.

The same procedure is being implemented in Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya, he claimed.

Pointing out that the tribals have nothing to fear in connection with the inclusion of Meitei in the ST list, he also urged them not to create any roadblock or hurdle in the process.

Radhabinod also stressed on the importance of politicians in ensuring that the community gets included in the ST list and others are not impacted in the process.